Clinton man indicted in Medicaid fraud case

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Clinton man indicted in Medicaid fraud case

By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Apr 8, 2008 at 11:45 AM EST

Story Updated: Apr 8, 2008 at 12:24 PM EST

CLINTON - Ole Petterson had expressed interest in running for Oneida County Executive in the last election.

Now, Pettersen is accused of collecting roughly $500,000 in payments from the State Department of Health to which he was not entitled.

Pettersen faces one count of grand larceny, 10 counts of falsifying business records in the first-degree and one count of offering a false instrument for filing.

He will enter a plea in Oneida County Court on April 21.

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Tuesday, Apr 15 at 4:34 PM Ezekiel wrote ...

To all: Remember "We reap what we sow"

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Sunday, Apr 13 at 3:40 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Grand jurys indict. No defense allowed at that time. Indictment means enough evidence was presented to show that a crime MAY have taken place and that it needs to go to trial. HAS taken place is incorrect. A high percentage of grand jury cases DO go to trial since no defense is allowed. But of course, many grand jury indictments end in acquittal (deemed innocent, charges dropped) after in court.

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Sunday, Apr 13 at 1:16 AM knows_a_bit_bout_the_law wrote ...

To respond to some statements made by others: Prosecutors don't indict people, the grand jury does. Someone else equated being indicted with be accused. Not. Being indicted mean the grans jury feels there is enough EVIDENCE to indicate that a crime has taken place.

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Saturday, Apr 12 at 5:58 PM Anonymous wrote ...

So Sal, you were billing for medicaid and therefore in the know about these alleged crimes? Probably not. Just jumping on the disgruntled employee bandwagon I bet. What a shame when an innocent man's life hangs in the balance. Nothing has come to light, it just an accusation that will be cleared in court.

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Friday, Apr 11 at 11:37 PM Sal wrote ...

WE SAW THIS COMING YEARS AGO - SAD THAT THIS TOOK SO LONG TO COME TO LIGHT.

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Thursday, Apr 10 at 9:42 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Someone said elsewhere: "These people seem like they will be disappointed if the charges are proven to be false. If he didn't do it and you WISH he did, what does that say about your character?" Do the readers here subscribe to the principle of our nation "innocent until proven guilty"? Would YOU like to be falsely charged among a people who chose to throw that great principle out? Think about it. Are you naive enough to believe the innocent are never charged?

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Wednesday, Apr 9 at 10:30 PM Anonymous wrote ...

He will walk with a slap on the hand. They always do. And just some food for thought, Why to honest people have to get drug tests for jobs, and people that are getting medicaid and public assistance dont have to?

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Wednesday, Apr 9 at 12:21 PM Deb wrote ...

And one more thing: Yeah_its_the_Gov_Fault wrote ..."Hey Deb, Sounds like ..." Of course it sounds like. That's what trumped up charges and news stories are for. Don't forget, the dentist who had piles of so called evidence against him, one by one thrown out until there was no accusation left (link in a comment below). "Sounded like" he was guilty too, but oops, innocent man ruined, and now suing the state. Thank you OMIG for abusing us all.

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Wednesday, Apr 9 at 11:57 AM Deb wrote ...

Reading the comments here, is like watching a bunch of sheep go to the slaughter. Baaaa. You are walking in exactly the steps the state is counting on to continue on in its corruption. They know people will be angry about medicaid fraud. Well Ole was angry about it too, and wouldn't even continue treatment on medicaid patients if they weren't serious about recovery - unlike most providers who will milk it till its dry. It's so ironic that they chose Ole. If anybody, not him.

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Wednesday, Apr 9 at 11:35 AM Deb wrote ...

http://www.manhattan-institute.org/html/_nypost_a_foolish_way_to_fight.htm Excerpt: Then there's the "protection racket" problem. Whistleblowers, plaintiffs' attorneys and even government prosecutors increasingly seem to be targeting legitimate businesses - using the threat of the FCA's steep penalties Because Ole knows he did nothing wrong, he refused to settle. He is innocent. Had he settled, he wouldn't be here, on the news. He's up for the fight, Because he's done nothing wrong.

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Wednesday, Apr 9 at 11:05 AM Deb wrote ...

Of course the whistleblower hopes to collect. That does not mean there is solid proof. That will be seen in court while your taxdollars are being wasted there.

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Wednesday, Apr 9 at 11:03 AM Deb wrote ...

Yes you should be bitter, but don't let your bitterness be displaced. It belongs on the state. Health providers who are cleared are suing the state when their business is ruined by false allegations. Our taxdollars at work. Thank you Eliot Spitzer. OMIG is his. The lawsuits will far exceed what is collected in medicaid fraud.

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Wednesday, Apr 9 at 10:59 AM Deb wrote ...

eastutican, that is not true. OMIG does have to meet a quota. http://www.omig.state.ny.us/data/images/stories//omig_2006_annual_report.pdf Page 26: • By September 30, 2008, for the period of 10/01/07 – 9/30/08, the State must demonstrate its annual levels of fraud and abuse recoveries are equal to .5% of total computable Medicaid expenditures - $215 million.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 11:10 PM eastutican wrote ...

Perhaps he is innocent; indictment is only starting a criminal prosecution. BUT, the State does not have to meet any quotas to keep OMIG running and for a whistleblower to collect, a case must be proven. The comments here are just ridiculous.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 10:09 PM Yeah_its_the_Gov_Fault wrote ...

Hey Deb, Sounds the like the disgruntled ex employee had some solid information, he/she deserves the 30%. Lock the crook up and slam the lid shut on the Medicaid Cookie Jar that costs taxpayers 1.9 billion dollars in FY 06-07. Hooray for the good guys!!!!

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 8:32 PM Concerned wrote ...

I agree with KD...he would have been right at home in politics. We, the tax payer, need to demand harsher penalties for this kind of crime. I can only pray that THIS time, true justice will be served, and Mr. Petterson will be punished to the full extent of the law.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 7:52 PM Ester wrote ...

To utica resident: How sad that you believe something just because it's on the news. An incictment is still just an accuasation. At Grand Jury, the defendent is not allowed to present any evidence or defend himself. His opportunity doesn't come until there is an actual trial. During the trial Mr. Pettersen will have a chance to defend himself and, all those who testify against him will also have their feet will be held to the fire. Innocent until proven guilty. This is still America. Right

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 4:01 PM to deb wrote ...

We have one of the largest medicaid counties in the NY state, i think we all have the right to be bitter. This very reason is why we have such high taxes in Oneida County. SO forgive me for condemning this man. So this poor man is being picked on, right deb? Bull crap, where there is smoke there is fire. New York State must meet their quota in Medicaid Fraud recovery to continue receiving monies to keep OMIG running.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 3:39 PM Bethany wrote ...

I have known this man for 30 years. His life is a testimony that recovery is possible and that there is hope. His tireless labor in the name of Hope is fueled by an eagerness to see others emancipated from the bondage of addiction - certainly not by an eagerness for money. Ole Pettersen is deeply committed to honesty and is worthy of the title "Mentor". He is candid, forthright, sincere and authentic. His life is open and accessible to all. These outrageous accusations will be proven false.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 2:51 PM Deb wrote ...

To the commenters who responded as though he's already been convicted - he hasn't. I have confidence that he will be cleared of all charges. Grand Jury provides no opportunity for defense. He is simply being investigated - and a prosecuter can indict a ham sandwich at grand jury, since no defense is allowed.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 2:42 PM Deb wrote ...

Truth will come out in court. Ole is innocent. New York State must meet their quota in Medicaid Fraud recovery to continue receiving monies to keep OMIG running. Whistleblower can be a disgruntled exemployee and gain up to 30 percent of collected. Others are being affected: http://www.1888pressrelease.com/frank-buonanotte-vs-the-state-of-new-york-pr-31r6n1f6y.html and http://www.nypost.com/seven/11192007/news/regionalnews/75m_suit_vs__spitzer_has_teeth_492441.htm This is Spitzer's doing.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 1:59 PM KD wrote ...

He'd make a great politician.

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Tuesday, Apr 8 at 12:46 PM utica resident wrote ...

And we are supposed to trust politicians.... Where is the leading by example here in our county?

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